Ooh, we do love our holidays. We are taking more than ever – the highest number in five years with an average of 3.8 breaks.

Research by ABTA, presented at their annual convention in the Azores (above), we are almost back to taking as many holidays as in 2011, when the figure peaked at 3.9.

The average number of overseas holidays has bounced back to the 2015 figure of 1.7 per year, having dropped to 1.4 in 2016. Breaks in the UK have remained steady after a very successful 2016.

The Holiday Habits Report 2017 also revealed that in the year to August 2017, 87 per cent of Brits took a holiday either at home or abroad. It is the most people since 2011 and just two years ago only 77 per cent went on a break.

More than a quarter are booking holidays earlier to take advantage of cheaper prices and better deals and also, to make sure they get the holiday they want.

Holidaymakers are also spending less on short breaks, an average of £285 per person, down from £301. But they are spending slightly more on longer holidays overseas, £586 compared to £537 last year. And a third of people are intending to spend more next year.

Mark Tanzer, ABTA Chief Executive, said: “Despite a year when people’s spending power has been squeezed, it is clear that British people still value their holidays immensely, and it is encouraging to see holiday-taking at home and abroad increase.

“Britons are responding to more challenging market conditions by planning ahead and managing their holiday budgets carefully and that bodes well for the year ahead. Our research also suggests that, although there is confusion around the impact of Brexit on travel, most people still intend to travel to Europe in the 12 months ahead, so it is clear the British love affair with holidaying in Europe continues.”

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